Practical guide to getting work done without paying bribe

Himanshu (Proprietor at H. R. Thacker and Co.)   (1439 Points)

08 May 2011  

Corrupt officials use various tactics to extract bribes.

You may take the following action to counter those tactics.

(1) Indefinite Delay: They delay your work until you offer a bribe. Solution: Don't visit government offices. Follow up your pending work through letters. You may send letters by courier, registered post or speed post. [Local speed post costs only Rs 12/-. Local couriers are available at Rs 5/-]. You may also use RTI Act to know status of your work. In which case you need to spend another Rs 10/-.

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(2) Demanding unnecessary papers: Sometimes they demand unnecessary documentation, and hint that work can be done without those very papers if you pay a bribe. Solution: If they can offer to do your work without additional papers [with bribe], it means that those papers were definitely unnecessary. (i) Ask officials to demand those papers in writing, and record the conversation. (ii) Write a letter stating that you demanded these papers. Are they really mandatory as per law? You can also use the RTI Act here. (iii) Use the RTI Act to find out whether s/he demanded those papers from other applicants. (iv) Whatever paper s/he demands, send it by post. Never deliver anything without receipt. [Remember no officer will complete your work without the mandatory papers].

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(3) They advise you to pay bribe so that you pay less tax / penalties. Many times they demand higher amount for penalties than prescribed under laws. Solution: (1) Check laws if you can (2) Record the conversation and tell them that you are going to report it to the Anti-Corruption Bureau. (3) Use the RTI Act to find out how much was paid by others under similar circumstances.

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(4) When the official is not available in his/her office. Solution: Write a letter that you visited his/her office on say, 1st August at 11 AM but s/he wasn't available. His/her assistant Mr. Rama Rao said to come again on 5th August. This letter will make him/her take special care of your work.

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(5) If nothing works, try this: When you don't have any option, record the conversation, pay money and get your work done. After your work is completed, meet that official and demand your money back. Tell him/her that you are going to complain, if s/he does not return your money. Tell him/her about Jago Party. Take a Jago pamphlet or advertisement copy with you. This will most likely make him/her return your money.

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(6) Develop the habit of complaining. Whenever you see crime and corruption, send written complaints to head of that department, ACB / CBI, local newspapers and the Jago Party.

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(7) Don't be submissive. Call officials by their names. Don't call them `Sir' or `Madam'. Be polite but don't show unnecessary respect. Be firm and confident. Talk about the RTI Act and the Jago Party. Corrupt officials are generally afraid of knowledgeable people.